Display case for jewelry and the like



H. P. MCGOVERN 2,792,109 I DISPLAY CASE FOR JEWELRY AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 6, 1955 May 14, 1957 United States Patent 2,792,109 DISPLAY CASE FOR JEWELRY AND THE LIK Henry I. McGovern, Framingham, Mass., assignor to Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framingham, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 6, 1953, Serial No. 384,389 1 Claim. (Cl. 206-453) This invention relate to small boxes and more particularly to displax boxes for jewelry and the like where the boxes are used not only to store articles but also to display them in store windows, display cases, etc.

Objects of the invention are to provide a box which is simple and economical in construction, which displays articles attractively, which can be changed from closed to display condition quickly and easily and which will stand firmly in various display positions including an inclined position.

According to the present invention the box comprises a tray including a base having a bottom and upstanding side walls and flanges extending outwardly from the side walls below their upper edges so that the upper edges of the side walls form a rim projecting above the flanges, together with a cover fitting over the rim from the top to cover the contents of the tray, the cover also fitting over the bottom of the base to support the tray in inclined position on a surface, such as a table top, engaging the outer edge of one of the flanges and an upper edge of the cover, the aforesaid flanges inclining upwardly so that their outer edges are above the aforesaid rim whereby, when the tray is supported in inclined position, the line of engagement between the flange and surface is in a plane beyond the mouth of the tray. The base and cover are preferably square in horizontal cross-section so that the cover and base interfit in any one of the four angular positions relative to each other. In the preferred embodiment the aforesaid flanges extend substantially horizontally from the side walls a distance at least equal to the thickness of the cover to provide a seat for the cover before they begin to incline upwardly. Preferably the base is provided with stops to limit the extent to which the cover can be telescoped over the bottom of the base.

For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a side view;

Fig. '3 is a sideview with the tray in the aforesaid inclined position; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises a base having a bottom 1, side walls 2, and flanges 3 extending outwardly from the side walls somewhat below the upper edges of the side walls to leave a rim 4 projecting upwardly from the flanges around the mouth of the box. Fitting over this rim is a cover 5 having two square corners 6 (Fig. 2)

Patented May 14, 1957 ice and two rounded corners 7 (Fig. 4). Secured in the base is a jewelry pad 8 to hold an article of jewelry, which is a ring 9 in the illustration.

The flanges extend from the box horizontally a short distance to form a horizontal seat for the edge of the cover and thence upwardly to a level well above the upper edge of the rim 4. Below the flange stops 11 are provided to limit the extent to which the cover can be telescoped over the bottom of the box.

While the tray and cover may be formed of any suitable material they are preferably molded with plastic material so that all the parts of the box, including the flanges, comprise a single piece of material, the flanges being integrally connected together at the corner to form a continuous frame extending around the mouth of the tray.

When the cover is removed the flanges frame the article of jewelry, presenting much the same appearance as a picture frame. When displaying an article the cover may be removed entirely or it may be telescoped upwardly over the bottom of the box. When thus applied the box is preferably placed in the position shown in Fig. 3 with the edge of one flange and one of the rounded edges 7 of the cover resting on the supporting surface. By inclining the flanges as described their edges are located beyond the plane of the mouth of the tray, thereby increasing the distance between the two lines of contact with the supporting surface. Likewise the stops 11 serve to increase this distance. As a result the display case stands firmly in inclined position with little danger of being knocked over accidentally.

It should be understood that the present disclosureis for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

For displaying jewelry and the like, a tray comprising a base having a bottom and upstanding side walls, flanges extending outwardly from the side walls below their upper edges so that said edges form a rim projecting above the flanges, and a hollow cover shaped to fit over said rim from the top to cover the contents of the tray, the bottom of said base being shaped to fit into the cover when the latter is inverted, thereby to support the tray in inclined position on a surface engaging the outer edge of one of said flanges and an edge of the top of the cover, said flanges inclining upwardly so that their outer edges are above said rim whereby, when the tray is supported in said inclined position, the line of engagement between said flange and surface is in a plane parallel to and beyond the rim of the tray, the depth of the cover being greater than the width of the flanges so that the tray is stable in said inclined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

